FR3103353A1 - Automatic insect trap for capturing insects alive and selectively - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic insect trap by darkroom capture. It is composed of a structure part or all of which closes to form a dark room, a sensor detecting the specific species (s) to be captured, a mechanism for closing and opening the structure, a luminous orifice attracting the insect from the darkroom to the storage tank, a storage tank storing the captured insects and a computer analyzing the measurement signal from the sensor and controlling the motorization of the closing mechanism and 'opening. The device according to the inventor is particularly intended for protecting beehives against the nuisance of the Asian hornet (Vespa Velutina Nigrithorax) in Western Europe.

Description

Automatic insect trap to selectively capture live insects

The present invention relates to a device for selectively capturing live insects.

Capturing live insects makes it possible on the one hand to eliminate their nuisance and on the other hand to recover them for scientific or food reasons.

The presence of an insect is due to a passage area that is familiar to it or due to an area of interest: hunting prey or feeding, for example. The attraction can be natural or due to an artificial bait. Different solutions exist today to capture insects.

PRIOR ART

In the catalog of bait traps, we already know the patent FR3077956A1, a cage for capturing Hymenoptera. These traps are not selective (biodiversity is not respected), are not systematic (they do not capture all of the targeted insects) and require regular reloading of the bait. Rain and heat quickly disrupt these traps by drying out the bait and creating unsuitable fermentation and rotting in the environment of an apiary, for example.

In the catalog of so-called electric harp traps, we already know the patent FR2982735A1 which uses electric grids to kill flying insects by electrocution. These devices are not selective (the insects are killed according to their size and not according to their species), are not systematic and kill the insects with each electrocution.

Other devices such as badminton rackets or landing nets are used but necessarily require a human presence to be operated.

In the case of attacks on apiaries by the Asian hornet, all the devices mentioned above do not automatically and selectively eliminate the presence of Asian hornets hovering at the entrance to the hives.

The purpose of the invention is to capture insects and to remedy these problems of selectivity, systematic capture, human presence, bait and preservation of the living insect.

To this end, the invention consists of a structure, part or all of which closes to form a dark room, a sensor detecting the specific species to be captured, a closing and opening mechanism of the structure, a luminous orifice attracting the insect from the darkroom to the storage tank, a storage tank storing the captured insects and a computer analyzing the measurement signal and controlling the motorization of the mechanism of closing and opening.

According to a preferential mode of operation, the insect presents itself in the structure, it is identified by the computer which triggers the closing of the trap, by natural reflex the insect is attracted by the luminosity of the orifice, the insect crosses the hole and gets trapped in the storage bin.

In a preferred mode of the invention, the closing system is faster than the speed of movement of the insect to be captured and this closing is soft and silent to limit the nuisance to the nearby environment.

In a preferred mode of the invention, the orifice is made luminous by daylight or by artificial lighting, the size of the orifice is greater than the size of the insect species(ies) ) to capture.

In a preferred mode of the invention, the storage container is made up of walls which allow the light located outside of it to pass, a system for locking the structure of the trap and positioning it on the orifice, a non-return inlet baffle at the level of the orifice.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the device of the invention in the so-called "rearming" position waiting for an insect to be captured;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the device of the invention in the so-called "triggered" position in active insect capture;
• Figure 3 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the device of the invention in the so-called "reset" position following activation;
• Figure 4 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the device of the invention, isolating the "trigger" part, in the so-called "armed" position waiting for insects to be captured;
• Figure 5 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the device of the invention in the so-called "triggered" position in active insect capture;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the device consisting of its structure (1), a sensor (3), the storage tank (4), the orifice (5), the closing mechanism and opening composed of a skirt (6), a motorized arm (27) and an operating link (24). The descent of the skirt (6) and its ascent are carried out by the rotation of the arm (27). The rotation of the arm (27) is ensured by a motor. The "open" and "closed" positions are indicated by the open position switch (251) and the closed position switch (252).

Figures 3, 4, and 5 show another embodiment of the device, the closing movement of which is produced by the force of gravity due to the mass of the skirt (6) and/or to the force exerted between the bottom of the skirt (6) and the upper partition by an elastic element (for example a compression spring (64)). The opening movement is carried out by a motor. The closing and opening mechanism is composed of a fixed rim (21) comprising a sliding track (211) and a trigger opening (212).

A pulley (22) concentric with the sliding track (211) is free to rotate with respect to the fixed rim (21). The operating link (24) is fixed (223) to the pulley (22). The trigger (222) is fixed to the pulley (22) and is free to rotate relative to the latter. The trigger has a high heel (2221), a low heel (2222) and a tail (2223). A lever (231) comprising a finger (232) and a cam (233) is fixed to the output shaft of a motor, this output shaft is concentric with the sliding track (211).

The sensor (3) can carry out the detection by ultrasound, by camera, infrared or microphone.

The computer analyzes the signal from the sensor and controls the triggering and resetting of the trap.

According to figures 3,4 and 5, when the trap is waiting for an insect to be captured, that is to say in the "cocked" position, the trigger (222) is in balance. The force exerted on its axis of rotation by the pulley (22) opposes the support of the high heel (2221) in the opening (212) and the support of the finger (232) of the motor lever on the tail (2223). The switch (253) detects the start of the cam (233)

According to Figures 3 and 4, when the computer detects an insect to be captured, the motor rotates the lever (231) which pushes with the finger (232) the tail (2223) of the trigger, the high heel (2221) of the trigger continues to sink into the opening (212) until the finger (232) of the motor lever escapes the tail (2223) of the trigger. The pulley (22) is then rotated by the force of gravity due to the weight of the elements making up the skirt (6). The computer identifies the so-called “tripped” position when the cam (233) escapes the armed and tripped position switch (253). On closing, a limit stop (221) fixed to the pulley (22) comes into contact with a stop (261) fixed to the rim, limiting the relaxation of the operating link (24).

The size of the orifice (5) is larger than the size of the insect species to be captured and small enough to limit light scattering inside the darkroom.

The trap closure holding time can advantageously be controlled by a time delay. Once the time has elapsed, the trap opens and goes into the “reset” position.

According to Figure 3, the motor rotates the lever (231). His finger (232) comes into contact with the tail (2223) of the trigger and rotates the pulley (22), this to return to the "reset" position on contact with the armed and tripped position switch (253) with the cam (233).

In another exemplary embodiment, the storage tank (4) has an inlet baffle (41) provided with an outlet orifice of a size greater than the size of the species of insect to be captured, one or more insect loopholes (43), on the upper part of the tank or on its walls, of sizes larger than the size of another species of insect (8) and smaller than the size of the species of insect insect to be captured, which may be wire netting or perforations in the walls of the storage bin. The storage bin (4) consists of a locking system (42) to the structure and a device for positioning with the orifice (5), for example a buttonhole, a tenon/mortise couple or a magnet . The wall of the storage tank (4) permeable to light (9) is sufficiently large and correctly positioned in order to illuminate the orifice (5) from the darkroom.

In another exemplary embodiment and according to Figures 3, 4 and 5, closing by gravity is improved by the pressure exerted by an elastic element (a spring (64) for example) between the structure (1) and the bottom of the skirt (6).

In another exemplary embodiment, a seal (63) fixed to the rigid ring (62) seals the light between the bottom of the skirt (6) and the bottom of the structure (11).

In another exemplary embodiment and according to Figures 3,4 and 5, when triggered, the end stop (221) of the pulley comes into contact with the lever (261) and compresses a damper (262) which can be elastic, pneumatic or hydraulic.

In another exemplary embodiment, the skirt (6) in the folded position closes the orifice (5). The skirt (6) is made of textile or plastic material obscuring the light.

In another exemplary embodiment, the computer is a gateway for managing data to external platforms, in particular for counting captured insects.

A cell (not shown in the figures) is ideally located at the level of the orifice (5). It signals to the computer the entry of the captured insect into the capture tank.

In another exemplary embodiment, a bait (12) is positioned on the bottom of the structure (11).

In another exemplary embodiment, a device diffusing artificial light can be arranged inside the storage tank (4). In this example, the walls of the tank are not necessarily permeable to light.

In another exemplary embodiment, the computer is powered by a mains power supply, a photovoltaic panel, a wind turbine or a battery.

In another exemplary embodiment, a hatch (51) closes the orifice (5) in order to prevent the captured insects from leaving the storage tank.

In another exemplary embodiment, the structure is composed of a box comprising one or more motorized doors forming the darkroom during capture.

The device according to the inventor is particularly intended for the protection of hives against the nuisance of the Asian hornet (Vespa Velutina Nigrithorax) in Western Europe.

Claims (10)

Device for selectively capturing live insect species characterized by:

• an open structure (1) becoming a dark room when closed and obscuring external light;
• a mechanism for closing and opening the darkroom;
• a sensor (3);
• a computer analyzing the signal from the sensor and controlling the closing and opening mechanism;
• a storage tank (4) for catches, at least one wall of which is permeable to light (9);
• an orifice (5) for the passage of captured insects, located between the dark room and the storage tank, made luminous by the light, natural or artificial, passing through the storage tank, large enough for the passage of insects and small enough to limit the light entering the darkroom.

Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the structure is composed of a box comprising one or more motorized doors. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the structure comprises a skirt (6) constituting the darkroom when it is closed. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the orifice is closed off in the armed position by a closing flap (51) located between the darkroom and the storage tank. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the storage tank comprises a non-return baffle (41), an insect escape (43) smaller in size than the captured insect and a locking system (42) allowing it to be locked to the structure and positioned above the hole. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the closing and opening mechanism is motorized and consists of an open position switch (251) and a closed position switch (252). Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the closing performed by the closing and opening mechanism is triggered by a trigger (222) and performed by the gravitational force of the elements making up the skirt (6) and that it is damped at its end of travel by a damping element (262), a motorized opening and a cocked and tripped position switch (253). Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the skirt comprises a spring (64) improving the closing speed, a seal (63), a rigid ring (62) on which a maneuvering link (24) is fixed. . Device according to Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the closing and opening mechanism consists of:

• of a fixed rim (21) consisting of a sliding track (211) receiving the support of a high bead (2221) and a low bead (2222), the trigger and a trigger opening (212);
• a pulley (22) concentric with the sliding track on which is fixed the operating link, the trigger and a limit stop (221);
• of a motor whose axis of rotation of the output shaft is concentric with the sliding track on which is fixed a lever (231) provided with a finger (232) pushing the pulley via the tail (2223) of the sear and a cam (233) actuating the armed and tripped position switch (253);
• a lever (261) linked to a damping element (262).

Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the computer also serves as a gateway for the management of the activity data of the trap and in particular for the control of the transfer of insects from the dark room to the tank through a control cell. .